Stopper inserting machine



Oct. 18, 1932. c, BRE MlLLER 1,883,524

STOPPER INSERTING MACHINE F iled Sept. 24. 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I ATTORN EY Oct. 18, 1932. c. E. BRE MILLER STOPPER INSERTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ENTOR AT ORNEY Oct. 18, 1932. c. E. BRE MILLER 1,883,524

STOPPER INSERTING MACHINE Filed Se pt. 24. 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 4 AT RN EY Oct. 18, 1932. c, 5, gm; MULLER 1,883,524

STOPPER INSERTING MACHINE Filed Sept 24 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 18, 1932 m m TATES PATENT OFFICE,

. CLIFFORD BEE MILLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- 'IO COOK LABORATORIES, INC, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE s'rorrnn rnsnarrne MACHINE Application filed September 24,1927. Serial No. 221,824.

This invention relates to plug inserting machines and a ms, among other O-b ects, to provide a machine of th1s type whlch w1ll automatically insert plugs or stoppers into Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine on a reduced scale;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on' the line 22 of Fig. 1 and drawn on a larger scale;

3' is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4; is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 2;.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5- 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2; and i Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5 and on an enlarged scale.

In one of the several operations during the manufacture of certain medicament cartridges for hypodermic and other syringes, resilientplugs or stoppers are inserted in the opposite ends of the glass tubes which form the bodies of the cartridges. Heretoforethls operation has been done by hand, or partly V by hand, which is slow and costly. The I present invention provides a machine whlch may be rapidly operated to close one or both of the ends of the cartridges with a resilient plug or plugs,.without breakage of the. fragile tubes or mutilationof the plugs.

Referring particularly to the drawings, there are shown two holders respectively for the plugs and the tubes, mechanism by means I of which the plugs and tubes are individually conveyed from the. holders and are brought together simultaneously for insertion of a plug into the' end of each tube, and a conveyor by which the plugged tubes are carried to a suitable receptacle.

Herein the plugs 10 (shown'on an enlarged scale in Fig.7), areso shaped as to be slidable through the tubes from end to end, and preferably are made as disclosed in the afore said patent of John MacGregor. The plugs 10 are contained, within a hopper 11, from which they areindividually fed to a compressing guide or die 12 (Fig. 2). The glass tubes 18 are likewise contained in ahopper 14 from which they are carried by a drum 15 (Fig. 3) and individually presented to the die 12, synchronously with the feeding of a plug to the die, at which time a plunger 16 forces the plug through the die and into the tube. From this point the plugged tubes are discharged to a track 17, and by means of a conveyor 18 are delivered into a receiving container 19 (Fig.

To support the hoppers, and Various mechanismsto be later described, a base plate 20 is provided, herein shown as in the form of a rectangular casting having end walls 21 and 22, and intermediate walls 23 and 24 separated by a transverse groove 25 (Fig. The base plate 20 may be secured to a bed plate 26 which is substatnially rectangular. in

shape (Fig. 4) and provided with supporting legs 27 (Fig. 1). The base plate 20 is preferably located at the left of the center of the bed 26, as viewed in Fig. 4:, and at the front end thereof.

Herein the hopper 11 comprises a hollow transparent cylinder 28, open at the top for replenishment of its supply of plugs, as shown in Fig. 6,. and having a metal bottom 29', which is rigidly secured to cross bars 30 mounted on the top of supporting posts 31 and 32 (Fig. 2'), extending upwardly from the walls 21 and 23 respectively and approximately midway of the front and rear edges of the base plate 20, said hopper preferably being so located that its vertical axis substanproximately half-way down the hopper from the upper rear edges of the side plates, while a plate 36 is connected across the front edges of the side plates midway of their height. The hopper 14 is shown supported adjacent to the hopper 11, by means of angle brackets 37 or the like connected to the lower ends of the side plates 33 and 34, and mounted on the walls 22 and 24 respectively.

The drum 15, moving step-by-step, brings each successive tube to a momentary halt directly in longitudinal alignment with the die 12 which is mounted horizontally on the wall 24, with its axis parallel to the axis of drum 15. Reciprocating within the die is the plunger 16 which forces the plugs one by one into the open ends of the tubes during their momentary halt. To hold the tubes spaced apart on the drum, the latter has several plates 38 (Figs. 2 and 3) notched on their peripheries as at 39, whereby the tubes are supported individually. The drum is turned by its shaft 40 to which a step-by-step movement is imparted by mechanism to be described.

To prevent the tubes 13 from becoming jammed in the lower part of hopper 14, an agitator is provided which is in the form of a plate 11 (Fig. 3) hinged to the lower end of wall 35 and having a depending finger 1-2 in rear of the drum 15 and adapted to be actuated by a cam 23 secured on a rotating shaft 44, which is driven as will be described later. To seat the tubes in the notches 39, spring guides (Figs. 2 and 3) are secured at their upper ends to the plate 36 and have their lower ends extending downwardly and inwardly into the hopper to a point just above the plates 38, so that a tube properly seated in the notches will pass under said lower ends, while an improperly seated tube will be restrained until correctly positioned. The plunger 16, whose cylindrical body is shown as made up of a plurality of spring wires secured to a piston rod 46 (Fig. 2), is

reciprocated in the die 12 and in alined guides 47 and 4C8 secured in the walls 21 and 23 respectively. hen a tube has just been brought in front of the die, the active end of the plunger is withdrawn to be wholly within the guide 4? and one of the plugs is in the die 12 adjacent to said guide. As the plunger moves toward the tube, the end of the rod 16 (which is somewhat larger in diameter than the plunger to provide a shoulder), contacts with the upper, bifurcated end of a bell crank lever 49 (Fig. 2), pivoted interm diately on a stud 50 or the like in the side of-the wall 23 and rocks the same. The lower end of said lever 49 is pivotally connected, as at 51, to

one end of a rod 52, mounted for sliding movement in the walls 22, 23 and 24, said rod having an upstanding arm 53 secured near the other end and adjacent the inner face of the wall 22, said arm 53 being bifurcated at its upper end to engage an annular groove 54, in a sliding plunger 55. The plunger 55 assists in holding the tubes during insertion of the plugs, and hence is in longitudinal alinement with the plunger 16.

Herein, the plunger 55 (Fig. 2) comprises a hollow cylindrical member, closed at one end. A piston 56, having an enlarged head of resilient material, as rubber, is mounted in the open end of the plunger 55 and is provided with a stem 57 extending through the closed end of the plunger and having a stop nut 58 on its free end to limit the outward movement of the piston under tension of a spring 59, located within plunger 55 and bearing against the end of piston 56. The head of the piston 56 is constructed and arranged to bear against the outer end of each tube, when it has been brought to the pluginserting position, and to hold the inner end of each tube firmly against the die while its plug is being inserted, without however eX- erting such a pressure as will crack the fragile tube ends. In order to prevent movement of the positioned tubes outward from the drum, a pair of spaced spring arms 60 (Figs. 2 and 3) are secured at their upper ends to the lower portion of the plate 36 of the hopper 14, and have their lower ends engaging the outside of each tube when aligned with the die 12. The parts are so arranged that after each tube is plugged, it passes out below the spring arms 60, and is then free to fall or roll away from the drum, as will be described.

To insure positively the entrance of each plug into the end of a tube, the die 12 is formed with a tapered bore 61 (Fig. 2) having its discharge end smaller in diameter than the internal diameters of the tubes and its intake end larger than the average diameter of the plugs. The plugs, which are normally larger in diameter than the interiors of the tubes, being resilient, are contracted radially as they are forced one by one through the die by the plunger 16, and in their contracted state are discharged from the die into the ends of the tubes, where because of their elasticity, they are frictionally held. The extent of travel of the plunger is such as to enter the ends of the tubes, at one extreme of its movement, and thereby to leave the plugs positioned therein, preferably slightly spaced from said ends. At the limit of the opposite movement of the plunger, the active end of the same is entirely withdrawn from the tapered die 12 for the reception of a new plug therein Y To feed the plugs to the die, a chute 62 (Figs. 2 and 5), preferably rectangular in cross section, extends downwardly from the bottom of the hopper 11, and into the rear end of the die 12 at the top of its bore (Fig. 2). Herein the bottom 29 of the hopper is provided with an outlet 63 in the extreme edge thereof adjacent to the tube hopper 14 and directly above the chute ,62'with which it communicates.

To position the plugs for proper feeding down chute 62, a disc 64 (Figs. 2, 5 and 6) is rotatably mounted in the lower end of hopper 11, and to direct the plugs by gravity toward its periphery, is frusto-conical, as shown., The diameter of the disc 64 is slight ly less than the internal diameter of wall 28,

as best shown in Fig. 7,. to permit the plugs 10 to: fall lengthwise and hence to extend radially, between the periphery of disc 64 and the wall 28 and be carried around to the head of chute 62. The disc has a periphery about equal in width to the diameter of the plug, with plug-receivingpockets (see also Figs. 4 and 7) extending through the rim of the disc and provided by a series of equally spaced radial abutments 66, which are preferably formed integral with the disc. As shown in Fig. 7, the ends of the plugs 10 when in the pockets 65 abut the inner side of the wall 28 and the periphery'of disc 64, the distance between which is less than the diameter of the plugs, so that the plugs may only enter the pockets in proper position; that is, with their axes radial to the axis of rotation of the disc and properly disposed tofall or move laterally and downwardly through the chute 62, to be positioned laterally in the die 12 and thus be presented longitudinally to the tube ends.

As the plugs are brought above the outlet 63, they are automatically pushed downwardly out of their pockets 65 and into said outlet by a finger 67 (Fig. 5), secured to one end of an L-shaped spring 68 which extends through a slot 69 in thewall of the hopper, and has its other end connected to a supporting bracket 70, being so arranged as to ride over the plugs 10 and force them down one upon the other. The radialabutments 66 are provided with a series of aligned, circumferential grooves 71' formed in their up per faces, thereby allowing the lower end of the finger 67' to pass freely therethrough as the abutments travel under the finger.

Referring particularly toFigr6, the lower face of the disc 64 is formed with a non-circular socket 72 into which is fitted the corresponding upper end of a disc-supporting sleeve 73, extending through and revolving in the bottom 29 of the hopper. Secured to i the lower end of the sleeve 73 is a bevel gear erably below the gear 74, and to which is I secured, a similar bevel gear 78, which also meshes with the pinion 75. The lower end of the gear 78 rests upon the cross arm of a bracket 79, to support the shaft 77 which has a bearing in. the; same to permit rotary pers in hopper 11 to the pockets 65, a mixer or distributor is provided, as shown 1n Flgs.

2 and 6. The shaft 77 extends upwardly nearly to the top of the hopper 11, and is formed with a shoulder upon which are crossed bars 82 and 83, the same being held thereon by a clamp nut 84. See Fig. 4. One

of the bars, as 82, is provided at its opposite terminals with depending, resilient scraper arms 85 (Fig. 6) located close to thefinner walls of the hopper 11 and extending downwardly close to the disc 64. The lower ends of the scraper arms are curved to trail the revolving disc and act upon the plugs to seat the same in thepockets 65. The arms 85 serve to agitate the plugs adjacent the wall 28 and prevent clinging of the plugs to the walls, which may occur when the plugs are coated with a viscous lubricant, as glycerine.

The other bar 83 has its outer ends bent downwardly as at 86 (Fig. 2), substantially midway between the shaft 7 7 and the wall of the hopper, the lower ends being again bent outwardly as at 87, and terminating close to the walls of the hopper. Secured to each of said terminals 87 is a spring finger 88 adapted to trail the rim of the disc as the latter revolves and aiding in the seating of the plugs in the pockets 65. Attached to the vertical portions 86 are additional agitators in the form of pins 89 extending transversely and radially of the axis of rotation. In order to prevent the plugs from contacting with and being revolved by the rotary shaft 77, a sleeve 90 surrounds the upper end of the shaft between the bar 83 and the disc 64, said sleeve 90 also serving to hold the disc 64 down upon its seat, By the aforesaid arrangement of the gears 74 and 78 and pinion 75, it will be observed that the disc 64 and arms 82 and 83 are driven in opposite directions, thus insuring a complete mixing of the plugs and a substantially uniform distribution thereof, andconsequently a substantially constant feed- ,ing to pockets 65. Y

In order to operate the various mechanisms thus far described, a horizontally dis- 1 posed drive shaft 91 (Figs. 1 and 2) is located at one end of the machine and mounted for.

rotation in upstanding bearings 92 and 93 on the bed plate 26. The shaft 91 is arranged at right angles to the plunger 16 and is adapted to be rotated either by hand, as by means of a crank 94, or by power. For the latter drive, the shaft 91 is provided with a worm wheel 95 loosely mounted thereon and adaptedto be driven by a worm 96 mounted onthe.

shaft of an electric or other motor 97 secured in proper position on the bed 26 of the machine.

To prevent breakage of the parts, should any of the various mechanisms become jammed from any cause, a friction clutch, of any desirable construction, is mounted 011 the drive shaft 91 (see Fig. 4). Herein the clutch comprises a friction disc 98 secured to f the worm wheel 95 and a second friction disc 99 slidably keyed to the shaft 91 and having a leather washer 100 interposed therebetween. A spring 101 between the disc 99 and an adjusting nut 102 on the shaft 91, holds the worm wheel 95 frictionally, locked to the shaft 91, and permits slippage of the parts should j occur. A suitable thrust bearing 103 may be provided for the motor shaft, the thrust bearing being carried by a 2'8 bracket 104 on the rear bearing 92; and simi lar thrust bearings 105, on opposite sides of said bearing 92, may be provided for shaft 91.

For operating the mixing and distributing M mechanism associated with the hopper 11, a sprocket pinion 106 is secured to the motor driven shaft 91 between the bearings 92 and 93 and the same is connected by a chain 10'? to the sprocket wheel 81, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

In order to reciprocate the plunger 16, the drive shaft 91 is provided, on its front end, with a crank 108 (Fig. 2) to which is con nected a pitman 109, the other end of the pitman being bifurcated and pivotally connect- 3s ed to the adjacent end of the piston 46. As

the drive shaft 91 rotates, it will be seen that the plunger 16 will reciprocate to force the plug into the end of the tube, while the latter W is held against movement by the head of the resiliently mounted piston 56 at the opposite end of the tube. When the crank 108 witl draws the plunger, the piston 56 is automatically removed from the path of the oncoming M tube by means of a coiled spring 110, which is mounted on the rod 52 with the ends of the same bearing against the intermediate post 23 and the plunger actuating arm 53, as shown in Fig. 2. h To support temporarily all the plugs or '50" stoppers in the chute 62 above the one which has entered the mouth of the die, one side wall of the chute is provided at the bottom thereof with an opening into which is adapted to be M projected the extended portion of a clamp 111 (Fig. 2) which is slidably mounted on the guide 47 and adapted to press against the adjacent end of the lowermost plug in the chute and force said plug against the opposite wall of the chute, thereby supporting the column of plugs above, and preventing mutilation of the plugs caused by the reciprocating plunger and the die 12 acting as shears.

In order to withdraw the clamp 111 synchronously with .the plunger 16, thereby permitting entrance of a new plug into the mouth of die 12, the piston 46 is provided with an upstanding arm 112 (Fig. 2) adapted to engage an adjustable head 113 on one end of a slidable rod 114 passing through a 112 of piston 46 does not withdraw the clamp 111 until just before the end of plunger 16 is withdrawn within guide 47; and immediately after one of the plugs moves from the chute 62 into the die, the clamp is again effective to support the column of plugs.

To impart a step-by-step motion to the tube-feeding drum 15, and incidentally to operate other mechanisms to be described, the shaft 91 is provided with a bevel pinion 119 (Fig. 4) adapted to mesh with a similar bevel pmion 118 on the end of the shaft 44, which is mounted longitudinally of the bed 26 in a bearing 120 and extends through walls 23, 24 and 22, preferably lying in a horizontal plane with the drum shaft 40. As Fig. 4 shows, shaft 44 is of reduced diameter to the left of wall 23. The drum shaft 40 has its inner end journaled in the wall 24 and its outer end j ournaled in and extending through the wall 22. A ratchet wheel 121 (Figs. 2 and 4) is secured at the outer end of said shaft 40 adjacent the wall 22, and is provided with a series of teeth, corresponding in number to the tubesupporting notches in the plates 38 carried by the drum.

Mounted on the end of the shaft 44, where extending through the wall 22, is a cam 122 (Fi s. 1 and 2) which is adapted to engage a roller 123 on an upstanding and rearwardly extending arm of a bell crank lever 124, pivoted on the end of the shaft 40 and adjacent to the outer face of the ratchet wheel 121. The arm having the roller 123 is also provided with a spring-actuated pawl 125 overriding the ratchet wheel 121 and adapted to engage the teeth thereof to impart a step-by-step rotary movement to the drum 15 when the cam 122 acts upon the roller 123.

.To keep roller 123 in contact with the cam,

and to withdraw the pawl from the ratchet wheel, a spring 126 is connected at one end to the frame of the machine and at its other end to the lever arm which carries said roller and pawl.

When a tube has been brought by drum 15 to the position in which it may be plugged, it is desirable to hold the drum against retrograde movement when the pawl 125 is being retracted, and in order to accomplish this, a pivoted detent 127 is employed, as shown in Fig.3. This detent is in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted at its angle between ears 128 onthe base 20. The horizontal portion of the lever isprov'ided at its end with an upstanding rounded dog 129 to engage in the lowermost notch 39 of the out-' such as to relieve the'pressure onthe cam follower 131immediately after insertion of a plug in a tube, so that, after the plunger has been withdrawn from the tube, the detent 127 will press lightly on the edgeof the outer plate 38 thus ofi'ering'practically no resistance to movement of the drum; said de-' tent engaging firmly the next succeeding notch 39 when another tube has been brought in alignment with the die 12, thus holding the tube alined and preventing improper or incomplete stoppering or mutilation of the plugs by being thrust against the tube edges.

While the finger 67 under the'pressure of the spring 68 serves to eject a plug from the pocket when the latter has been brought over the outlet 63, such pressure, together with the weight of the column of plugs, may not be suflicient to insure the continuous feeding of the plugs through the lower end of chute 62; and in order to feed the plugs positively into the die 12, a picker mechanism.

has been provided. Such a mechanism is particularly desirable-because rubber plugs vary slightly in size, and plugs which are over-size will not pass down the chute freely because of the friction.

The preferred form of picker mechanism, shown in Fig. 5, comprises apin or pins 133 adapted to project through a slot 134 formed in a wall of the chute, said pins being carried by a picker bar 135 supported at one end by an upstanding link 136 pivoted be tween the walls 23 and24. The other end of the picker bar 135 is actuated by an eccentric 137 carried by a short shaft 138, sa d picker bar being provided with an eccentric strap 139 surrounding the eccentric. Rotation of shaft 138' will cause the pins 133 to engage with the plugs in the tube and to be withdrawn from the slot, so that the column of plugs moves downwardly even though :gravity may be ineif'ective due to friction. The shaft 138 is mounted in upstanding bearings on the walls 23and 24 and over the shaft 44. Meshing pinions140 (Fig. 6) secured to said shafts 44 and 138 serve to drive the eccentric shaft 138, and thus actuate the;

picker. The movement of the picker is so timed as to engage the column of plugs in the chute and to force the lowermost plug into the die after the plunger 16 and the clamp 111 have beenwithdrawn. It will be clear that the picker and the finger 68 coop-i erate to insure an uninterrupted feed of the plugs into the die, to permit the use of a feeding chute in which the plugs fit rather snugly, thus preventing overturning of the plugs, which would result in lateral insertion of the plugs into the tubes and consequently discarding of many tubes. 1

It is desirable to adapt the machine for the insertion of plugs of various sizes into tubes of corresponding sizes and it therefore becomes necessary that some of the parts be made interchangeable with other like parts of different dimensions. For this purpose the revolving feeding disc 64 whichis located in the bottom of the plug hopper 11 may be readily'removed therefrom by simply removing the nut 84, the arms 82 and 83 and the sleeve 90, substituting another disc. having peripheral sockets of the desired dimensions, and reassembling the parts.

For the same reason it may be necessary at,

times to replace the die 12, the plunger 16 and piston 46 together with the guides 47 and 48, with other parts of proper sizes. To.

accomplish this, the walls 21, 23,and 24 are provided with open seats 141 (Fig. 2) formed to their front faces for the die 12 and the guides 47 and 48, the upper edge of said seats:

being inclined as shown in Fig. 5 so as readily to permit their'removal and to insure their.

proper seating. Clamp plates 142 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6') are adapted to bear against the .front faces of the die and guides, the samebeing held by tap screws 143 or the like. The in-. chned rear faces of the seats 141 prevent upward movement of the die or guides, while the plates 142 prevent any outward movement thereof. While their bores may vary, the different dies and guides are made with the same external diameterso that they will all be per 14 by hand, or by a conveyor or other.

means, in the'present instance there is shown an angularly disposed seat 144 (Fig; 3) 10- cated at the upper end of the hopper upon. which there is adapted to be placed a stor-'' age container 145, such as isshown infmy co pending application. Serial No. 264,681. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the container 145 is placed in the seat in an angular position so that the tubes 'may fall from the lower corner portion thereofand gravitateinto the hopper 14 when the slidable cut-off 146, forming partof the container,-is raised. The seat 144 maybe formed by bending the upper portions of the side walls outwardly'to' provide flanges 147 inclined at approximately 45f upon. which the container may rest andbe supported by an inclined wall 148constitut omit the chains to pass slightly ing an extension of the rear wall 35 of the hopper 14. 7

After a plug has been inserted into the tube, upon further rotation of the drum, the

.- plugged tube is brought below the free ends of the spring fingers 60, when the tube is dis charged and allowed to fall upon an apron 1 19 (Fig. 3) which directs it onto the aforementioned track 17. The apron 1&9 is preferably curved downwardly and outwardly, while the upper end thereof may partially surround the drum, as shown, said upper end being slotted to form tongues 150 (Figs. 2 and 1) extending between the plates 38. The lower end of the apron 14.9 is supported by the bed plate 26 and is provided with upstanding flanges 151 to guide the tubes onto the track 17 to be carried away.

The track 17 comprises a plurality of parallel rails 152 extending outwardly in a horizontal direction and held apart by bolts 153 having spacing sleeves thereon, said bolts being secured to brackets 154- which are connected to angle bars 155. The inner ends of the angle bars are bolted to the underside of the bed plate 26 and form the sole support for the tracks and conveying means about to be described. The tubes are rolled along the tops of the rails 152 and the latter are of a length sufficient to permit an operator to inspect the tubes and remove any defective ones in transit.

In order to causethe tubes to roll along the rails 152, a pair of spaced endless sprocket chains 156 are provided with projections 157 (Fig. 3) at intervals, to engage groups of said tubes and roll them forwardly to the discharge end of the track. The chains are trained over inner and outer sprocket wheels 158 and 159 (Fig. 1) mounted on transverse shafts 160 and 161 respectively, j ournaled in bars 155. The shaft 160 is so located as to per below the free endof the apron 149 so that the projections 157 clear said apron. To the end of said shaft 160 is secured a ratchet wheel 162, similar to the aforesaid ratchet wheel 121, and preferably having the same number of teeth. A depending ratchet arm 163 is loosely mounted on the shaft 160 which extends beyond the ratchet wheel 162,-said arm having a pawl to engage the wheel and being connected at its lower end to the free arm of the aforesaid bell crank lever 125 by means of a i I connecting rod 164:, to impart step-by-step movement to the conveyor synchronously it is desired to eject a defective tube before with the like movementof the drum. A hand lever 165 (Fig. 1) is preferably connected to the bell crank lever 125 to permit independa plug is inserted.

As hereinbefore'stated, the tubes are adapted to be deposited into a receptacle 19 from the outer ends of the track 17 andfor this ing an angular plate 166 (Fig. 1), hinged at one end, as at 167, to upstanding ears 168 on the ends of the L-bars 155. The plate 166 is adapted to support the receptacle 19 and, as the tubes are filled therein, the proper position of the receptacle is maintained by a counterbalancing weight 169 carried by an arm 170 secured to the plate 166. In order to insure the tubes properly entering the receptacle, side guides 171 and top guides 172 are employed, the same being mounted on the top of the L-bars 155. The receptacle 19 shown in Fig. 1 occupies approximately the position it assumes when half full of plugged tubes.

It will be clear that While the plug feeding mechanism is particularly built to handle plugs which are of cylindrical form, by changing certain of the parts flanged plugs may be handled, thus permitting use of the machine for the stoppering of both ends of the tubes, the empty cartridges so formed being preferably substantially in accordance with the disclosure of the aforesaid Mac- Grregor patent.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings, it will be seen that a machine has been provided which will effectively plug the ends of glass tubes or the like. The entire device is so constructed and arranged as to be entirely automatic in its operation, merely necessitating the maintenance of a sufficient supply of plugs in the hopper 11, the replacement of the empty storage receptacles 145 with filled ones, and replacement of the filled containers 19 with empty ones.

It is believed that the above described machine is the only one of its kind which has been devised, i. e., the only one capable of plugging glass tubes suitable for medicament cartridges with stoppers of the type disclosed. The plugging of glass tubes is a very different problem from that of stoppering ordinary bottles, and cannot be accomplished by known machines constructed for stoppering bottles. In the first place, the glass tubing of commerce varies both in inside and outside diameters, and cannot be made by any practicable method known without such variations occurring. Hence the sections of such tubing, which are used ly larger than the average internal bores of the tubes, necessitating considerable pressure radially of the plugs to constrict them sufficiently to enter the tubes. But this radial constriction of theplugs is made more diflicult by the forcible thrust necessary to insert the plugs in the tubes, as the natural effect of the thrust is to tend to expand the plugs radially as well as move them. Resilient plugs very tightly compressed by an end thrust may even burst the glass tube particularly when weakened at their ends by an relatively high pressure, they must be of generally cylindrical form, and hence, unlike ordinary stoppers (which are frusto-conica'l) cannot compensate for variation in the size of the openings which they fill by entering said openings to a greater or less extent. In the fourth place, ordinary stoppers are easily fed, whereas the plugs selected for illustration in this application are very difficult to feed, and will frequently be inserted crosswise of the tubes (rendering the tubes unmarketable) unless feeding mechanism is used which is accurately made. andnicely adjusted. In the fifth place, glass bottles always have smooth mouths; hence in steppering bottles there is no problem to overcome of multilation. of stoppers, whereas this problem is present in applicants machine, because of the employment of cut sec tions of glass tubing as the bodies of the medicament-conta1mng cartridges. Again, ordmary bottles and the like. have but one opening, and this is nearly always the heav iest and most difficulty broken part of the bottle; while the tubes, being cut sections of tubing, are weakest at both ends, and during the plug-inserting operation must be held against movement without fracture of either end. Moreover, ordinary bottles may be stoppered upright. because theyare always designed to be stable in this position, and are capable of resisting very heavy downward thrust-s, while the tubes for medicament cartridges are unstable ifsupported on their A further difficulty arises from the fact that the glass ends and will easily brake.

tubes may have sharp. edges, which mutilate the plugs 1f the sides of the plugs encounter them during the plug'inserting operation, a

difiiculty unknown in bottle stoppering, be cause the mouths of bottles are always smooth and uniformf lhe small size of the plu s and tubes also adds to the difficulty with which they are handled and assembled. These facts, and others, almost too numerous to mention, make the plugging of medical-' ment cartridge tubes impracticable by ordinary stoppering machines.

The present invention is noteworthy in providing not only anovel machine of the function stated, but also apparatus taking empty tubes from a receptacle constructed to facilitate sterilization of its contents and automatically delivering the tubes, after plugging, to another receptacle similarly constructed, for a second sterilization. Thus the present machine may form a link in a continuous chain of operations for the large scale production of sterile medicament dispensing cartridges.

Gbviously the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover. it is notindispensable that all the features of the invention be usedconjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

What I claim is 1. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a holder for tubes; a container for a supply of plugs; a plunger so constructed as to be radially collapsible and eXpansible; a die having its discharge end smaller than the plugs; mechanisms for feeding both the tubes and the plugs; the plugs being discharged into the die and means for operating the plunger through the die to forcibly insert a plug into one end of each tube.

2.. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a holder for tubes; a container for a supply of plugs; a feeding chute for the plugs; mechanically operated means for discharging the plugs from the container into the chute; means for forcing the plugs through the chute; coordinated feeding mechanism for both the tubes and the plugs; and means synchronized with said feeding mechanism for forcibly inserting one of the plugs in one end of each tube.

3. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, aholder for the tubes; a feeding chute for the plugs; a reciprocating plunger means for conveying the tubes to the plunger means for holding the tubesaxially' centered rela tive to the plunger; means for mechanically feeding the plugs from the chute to a pointbetween the tube and the plunger; and means to synchronize the movements of the tubes, plugs and plunger to effect placing of a plug in one end of each tube. i

j. c w v i l. A machine 10; inserting plugs into glass of the die Without breakingthe fragile tube ends; means for feeding the plugs to the bore in the die and in front of the plunger; and means to synchronize the movemei ts of the tubes, plugs and plunger to effect placing of a plug in one end of each tube.

5. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a reciprocating plunger; a hopper for the tubes; a removable, open-mesh, tube storage container associated with the hopper to discharge therein; a carrier receiving the tubes from the hopper ;me ns associated with the carrier to position the tubes in alignment with the plunger; and means for feeding plugs one at a time between the tubes and the plunger.

6. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a reciprocating plunger; a hopper for the tubes; a carrier for the tubes located beneath the hopper; means associated with the carrier to position the tubes in alignment with the plunger; means for feeding plugs to a position between the tubes and the plunger; and resilient means for pressing the opposite end of each tube toward the end being plugged, during the plugging operation.

7. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combina tion, a holder for the tubes; a container for a supply of plugs; a rotating member within the container and having pockets therein for the plugs; a delivery chute for the container; means to push the plugs out of the pockets and into the chute; coordinated mechanisms for feeding the tubes from the holder and the plugs from the chute; and synchronized means for forcibly inserting one of the plugs in an end of each tube.

8. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a holder for the tubes; a container for a supply of plugs; a rotating member within the container and having pockets therein for the plugs; means for positioning the plugs in the pockets; a delivery chute for the container; means automatically to eject the plugs from the pockets into the chute; coordinated mechanisms for feeding the tubes from the holder and the plugs from the chute; and a synchronized means for forcibly inserting one of the plugs in the end of each tube.

9. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a holder for the tubes; a container for a supply of plugs; coordinated feeding mechanisms for both the tubes and the plugs; means synchronized with the feeding mechanisms for forcibly inserting one of the plugs in the end of each tube; and hand operable means to actuate a part of the tube feeding means to release one or more tubes from said feeding means prior to the insertion of a plug.

10. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in com bination, a holder for tubes; a container for a supply of plugs coordinated feeding mechanism for both the tubes and the plugs; synchronized means for forcibly inserting one of the plugs in an end of each tube; a counterbalanced support; a removable receiving container on the support; and means for delivering the tubes into the receiving container after said tubes have been plugged.

11. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a hopper for the tubes; a tube receptacle; means for automatically inserting a plug into the end of each tube; a conveyor carrying the plugged tubes into the receptacle; and a movable support for the receptacle so constructed and arranged that the receptacle is depressed proportionately to the number of plugged tubes which have been conveyed into it.

12. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a die; means for presenting the tubes to the die in continuous succession; means to insert a plug into each tube as said tube is presented to the die; conveyor means for the plugged tubes; and a counterbalanced receiving container, movable responsive to the increase in total weight of the tubes as they are forced into the container, to permit the automatic entry of additional tubes without a precipitate fall.

13. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like, comprising, in combination, a holder for the tubes; a holder for plugs; an intermittently operated drum below the tube holder and having seats thereon for the tubes, said drum being adapted to position the tubes for insertion of the plugs; means to position the tubes in the seats on the drum; means synchronized with the drum to insert a. plug forcibly into the end of each tube; and means to hold the drum against slight rotary movement immediately prior to and during the plug-inserting operation, said means being released automatically to permit free rotation of the drum after the plug-inserting operation.

14. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like, comprising, in combination, a hopper for the tubes; an agitator in the hopper; an intermittently operated drum having seats thereon for the tubes, said drum being adapted to position the tubes for plugging; means to position the tubes in the seats on the drum; means to insert a plug forcibly into the end of each tube, when said tube has been placed in position to be plugged; and means to hold each tube against longitudinal movement in its seat while a plug is being inserted.

15. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like, comprising, in combination, a holder for the tubes; a hopper Lesa-524;

for the plugs; an agitator or mixer for distributing the plugs in the hopper; a plug feeding mechanism; an intermittently operated drum having seats thereon for the tubes,

said drum being adapted to position the tubes for plugging; means to position the tubes in the seats onthe drum; and means to insert a plug forcibly into the end of each tube, When said tube has been placed in position.

16. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like,'comprising, in combination, a holder for the tubes; a hopper for the plugs; an agitator or mixer for distributing the plugs in the hopper; a plug feeding mechanism; an intermittently operated drum having seatsv thereonfor the tubes, said drum being adapted to position the tubes for plugging; means to .positionthe tubes in the seats on the drum; means to insert a plug forcibly into the end of each tube, When said tube has been placed in position; and means to hold the drum stationary While a stopper is being inserted.

the radially compressed plugs through the die and into the ends of the stationary tube. 18. A machine for inserting; plugsinto glass tubes and the like-comprising, in combination, a holder for tubes; a container for a supply of plugsyan agitator Within the container for distributing the plugs; a chute for feeding the plugs from the container; means to force the plugs out of the container and into the chute; coordinated means for feeding both the tubes and the plugs;-andsynchronized means for forcibly inserting one of the plugs in the end of each tube.

19. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a holder for the tubes; a container for a supply of plugs; an agitator Within the container; a rotating disc Within the container and having pockets therein for the plugs; a delivery chute for the container; means to eject the plugs from {the pockets and into the chute; coordinated mechanisms for feeding the tubes. from the holder and the plugs from the chute; and synchronized means for forciblyinserting a plug in one end of each tube.

20. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like, comprising, in combination, aholder for tubes; a container for a supply ofplugs; a. chute for feeding the plugs from the container; means to push the plugs from the container and into the chute; means to move the plugs along the chute;

ieans operated so as alternately to release and held the plugs in the chute and synchronized means located near theldischarge end of the chute, for forcibly inserting one of theplugs in the endjof each tube.

2i. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes or the like comprising, in combinat-ion, a die; a plunger; mechanism to reciprocate the plunger through the die; a movable carrier for the tubes; a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the carrier; a cam to actuate the pawl; and means synchronized With the plunger operating mechanism and the :pawl and ratchet mechanism :to position a. tube in front of thedie and a plug in the die between the tube and the plunger.

22. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, mechanism for inserting plulgs in:

the ends of tubes; a track conveyor over which the plugged tubes may roll; means for causing the tubes to roll over said track; and

guides for the tubes While on the track.

23. A machine for inserting :plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, mechanism for inserting plugs in the ends of tubes; a conveyor for the tubes to conduct them away from the plug-inserting mechanism; and a receptacle. pivotally supported and counterweighted at the 1dis-.

charge end of the conveyor so that it automatically tilts proportionately to the weight of tubes in it'to permit the entry of more tubes.

24. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a reciprocating plunger; a carrier for tubes synchronized with the plunger and actuated step-'by stepto bring the tubes 'one at a timefto a position in axial aliner'nent-with the plunger; means for feeding plugs one at a time to a point in front'of the plunger when withdrawnfrom the tube carrier; and a conveyor actuated stepby step synchronously with the tube carrier to conduct the tubes away as fast as they are plugged.

25. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, a hopper for tubes; a rotatable "carrier substantial-1y closing the bottom of the hopper and having aseries of notches pr'ovi'd ing pockets for the tubes; a series of spring guides extending from above down to a line just clearing the carrier so as'to insure prop er positioning of the tubes in the pockets; and means to maintain the tubes 'in their pockets after they have passed out of the hoppei' to permit plug insertion.

26. -A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprisingin c'om'- bination, a hopper for tubes; a rotatable car -rier substantially closing the bottom of the hopper and having a series of notches providing pockets for the tubes; means to rotate.

the carrier step-by-step; and means to prevent retrograde movement of the carrier; said means comprising a frictional detent having a member contacting with successive notches as the carrier is moved; a spring for causing the detent to press with such force as to prevent movement of the carrier; and a cam actuated synchronously with the carrier and serving to control the force exerted by the spring and hence the resistance to rotation offered by the detent.

27. A machine of the class described com-- prising, in combination, a holder for plugs; a rotating member; means for directing the plugs by gravitation to a series of pockets which are provided on the rotating member; a chute into which the pockets discharge; and a spring member riding over the rotating member and forcing the plugs out of the pockets.

28. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a holder for plugs; a rotating member; so shaped as to direct the plugs by gravitation to a series of pockets which are provided on the rotating member;

a chute into which the pockets discharge; a spring member riding over the rotating member and forclng the plugs out of the pockets; and power-actuated means at the a discharge end of the chute to press the plugs out of said end.

29. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a hopper or container for plugs; a rotary member at the bottom of the hopper having pockets at its bination, means for holding a tube; a reciprocating plunger whose active end is made up of a compact mass of substantially parallel wires, so as to be radially compressible, and constructed and arranged to enter the end of a tube when held; and means for feeding plugs to a point between the active end of the-plunger andithe tube holding means.

31. A machine forinserting plugs into glass tubes which are cut sections of commercial glass tubing, comprising, in combination, means for holding a tube; a reciprocating plunger for inserting a plug in a tube when held; means for feeding plugs to a point between the end of the plunger and the tube holding means; and means actuated in coordination with the plunger to lightly press the end of each tube opposite to the end being plugged during the plugging operation, so that the. reaction on the tube tending to move it longitudinally is overcome; said means engaging the tubes yieldingly and having a resilient tube engaging face to prevent fracture of the tubes.

32. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, plug feeding mechanism including a chute; a plug pusher for forcing the plugs into the entrance end of the chute; a picker constructed and arranged to effect movement of the plugs longitudinally of the chute; and a clamp actuated alternately to release the column of plugs in the chute and to clamp the lowermost plug to permit the column to move in the chute and the entry of another plug.

33. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, plug feeding mechanism including a chute; a clamp actuated alternately to release the column of plugs in the chute and to clamp the lowermost plug to permit the column to descend in the chute and the entry of another plug from above; and a plug-inserting plunger reciprocating beneath the clamp and actuating the same to plug-releasing position through a mechanical connection when in withdrawn position; a spring actuating the clamp independently when the plunger moves to insert a plug.

34;. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, plug feeding mechanism including a chute; a plug pusher at the upper end of the chute; a picker active near the other end of the chute to effect the proper discharge; a clamp actuated alternately to release the column of plugs in the chute and to clamp the lowermost plug to permit the column to descend in the chute and the entry of another plug from above; and a plug-inserting plunger reciprocating beneath the clamp and actuating the same to plug-releasing position through a mechanical connection when in withdrawn position; a spring actuating the clamp independently when the plunger moves to insert a'plug.

35. A machine for inserting plugs into glass tubes and the like comprising, in combination, plug feeding mechanism including a chute; a clamp actuated alternately to release the column of plugs in the chute and to clamp the lowermost plug to permit the column to descend in the chute and the entry of another plug from above; means to adjust the clamp; and a spring acting on the clamp to hold the plug engaged by it.

36. A machine for inserting plugs in glass tubes comprising, in combination. tube-feeding means; means for holding the tubes in horizontal position for insertion; a hopper for a multiplicity of plugs; a feeding chute conducting the plugs away from the hopper; i

incaus'za means for deliveringthe plugs to the feeding chute with the longitudinal axes of the plugs horizontal and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube at the plug inserting station,

constructedas to conduct the plugs without turning to the plug inserting station; and

mechanism for endwise inserting plugs deliv cred from the chute into the tube ends.

37. A machine for inserting plugs in glass tubes comprising, in combination, tube-feeding means; means for holdingthe tubes in horizontal position for plug insertion a hopper for a multiplicity of plugs; a feeding chute conducting the plugs away from the hopper; means for delivering the plugs to the feeding chute with the longitudinal axes of the plugs horizontal and substantially parallel to the axis of the tube at the plug inserting station, said means being power driven and being so constructed and arranged as to reject any plug whose axis is horizontal but nonparallel to said tube axis; the feeding chute being so constructed as to conduct the plugs without turning tothe plug inserting station;

power driven mechanism for pushing the plugs along the chute; mechanism for endwise inserting plugs delivered from the chute into the tube ends; and mechanism working synchronously with the plug inserting mechanism and co-operatingw th-the plug pushing mechanism to hold the column of plugs in the chute against movement during the inserting of a plug and to 'PBI'IIlIt dGSCBIIt'Of the column when the inserting means isinactive.

38. A machine for insertlng rubber plugs in glass tubes comprising, in combination,

a c is through which theplugs are pressed before insertion into the tubes, said die having a bore whose diameter is least at the discharge end and greatest at and near the inlet for the plugs; and a plug inserting plunger reciprocating inthedie, said plunger being made up of a compact lnass of straightwires extending longitudinally of the die and so constructed and arranged as to tend to e-xpand to completely fill the bore of the die at thewidest as well as the narrowest point.

89. A machine of'the character described comprising, in combination, a hopper for tubes; a power driven tubecarrier at the discharge end of the hopper; apower oscillated plate in the lower partof the hopper to agitate the tubes in the hopper which are adjacent to the tube carrier; said agitator plate acting to obviate jamming of the tubes; and seats on the carrier to receive the tubes, one at a time. 7 v I 40. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, a hopperfor tubes; a power driven tube carrier at the discharge: end of the j hopper; 4 power driven time; and spring guides in the discharge I end of the hopper having their lower ends just clearing the carrier, so that a tube properly seated on the carrier will pass under said lower ends, while improperly seated tubes will be held back until correctly seated.

'41. A machine of thecharacter described comprising, in combination, a hopper for tubes; a power drivenv tube carrier at the discharge end ofthe hopper; said tube carrier having seats; stationary means fitting over the carrier and arranged so as to be beneath the seats thereof which are in tubereceiving position, to insure proper positioni-ng of the tubes; and stationary spring arms fixed near the carrier and engagingthe surfaces of the tubes as they are brought to plug-insertingposition; said spring arms cooperating with the stationary means afore said to hold the tubes properly centered.

42. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, a hopper for tubes ;a power driven tube carrier at the discharge end of the hopper; said tube carrier having seats; stationary means fitting over the carrier and arranged so as to be beneath the seats thereof which are in tube-receiving position, toinsure proper positioning of the tubes; stationary spring arms fixed nearthe carrier and engaging the surfaces of the the" stationary means aforesaid to hold the tubes properly centered; mechanism for inserting plugs into the tubes when properly centered relative to the plugs; and a piston alined with the tube in plug inserting positlOIl and engaging the end thereof opposite tothe one in which the plug is to be inserted to obviate longitudinal movement of the tube due to the reaction from friction between the tube and plug as the plug enters; said piston being so constructed that it does not crack the fragile ends ofthe glass tubes.

43 A machineof the character described comprising, in combination, a power driven tube carrier having seats for the tubes; a reciprocating plunger for inserting plugs into the seated tubes; and a piston alined with the tube in plug inserting position and engaging the end thereof opposite to the one in which the plug is to be insertedto obviate longitudinal movement of the tube due ot the reaction from friction between the tube and plug as the plug enters; said piston being-movable against each tube end simultaneously with the s plug-inserting movement of the plunger and being springretracted. I

44. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a hopper for tubes and the like; an agitator movably mounted at one side of the hopper in the lower part thereof;

a drum rotating on a horizontal axis and the tubes from the drum.

45. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a hopper for tubes and the like; an agitator movably mounted at one side of the hopper in the lower part thereof; a drum rotating on a horizontal axis and having tube-receiving seats located at the bottom of the hopper; spring fingers mounted in the lower part of the hopper spaced from the agitator; the top of the drum being between the spring fingers and the agitator and just clearing the lower ends of said fingers and agitator; a fixed plate slightly spaced from the drum and overlying the discharge side thereof to hold the tubes on the drum; and another fixed plate overlying the top of the drum and the discharge side and being closely adjacent the drum so as to underlie the tubes when in said seats, said plate being shaped to guide the tubes when discharged.

l6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rotary drum having tubereceiving seats; a detent having one end con tactinwith parts of said seats; said detent being pivoted and having an arm on the opposite side of the pivot from said conitacting end; a spring pushed member mounted on said arm so as to be transversely movable; a rotary shaft; and a cam on said shaft for engagement with said spring pushed member and compressing the spring when in contact with said member, thereby pressing the detent strongly against the tube seats and offering considerable resistance to the rotation of the drum; said spring, when released by further rotation of the cam, causing the detent to press lightly against the drum so that rotation thereof is effected easily; and means to rotate said drum step-by-step, so as to bring the seats int-o alinement consecutively with a tube-plugging mechanism.

47. In a machine of the class described, plug-inserting mechanism comprising, in combination, a reciprocating plunger; a bell crank lever oscillated by the plunger; a rod reciprocated by the bell crank lever; a coil spring mounted on the rod; an arm fixed to the rod and engaging the coil spring to compress the same when the rod is moved in one direction; and a yieldable tube-engaging member alined with the plunger but spaced therefrom and engaged with the arm so that said tube-engaging member is yieldingly' pressed against a tube end whenever the plunger is moved toward the tube.

48. In a machine of the class described, plug-inserting mechanism comprising, in combination, a reciprocating plunger; a bell crank lever oscillated by the plunger; a rod reciprocated by the bell crank lever; a coil spring mounted on the rod an arm fixed to the rod and engaging the coil spring to compress the same when the rod is moved in one direction; and a yieldable tube-engaging member alined with the plunger but spaced therefrom; said tube-engaging member consisting of a hollow plunger, a piston having an enlarged head of resilient material and being reciprocable in the plunger with the head entirely outside thereof, a spring within the plunger and tending to project the piston head outwardly; the aforesaid arm being engaged with the plunger so as to force the piston head yieldingly against a tube end whenever the reciprocating plunger is moved toward the tube.

49. In a machine of the character described, plug-feeding mechanism comprising a receptacle for a supply of plugs; a chute open at its top to the bottom of said receptacle, said chute being of such cross-section as to receive one plug at a time to form a column of closely confined plugs; a rotary disk at the bottom of said receptacle I having plug-receiving pockets at the periphery thereof; and a finger secured to the end of a spring and arranged to engage with the plugs in said pockets and push them into the chute.

50. In a machine of the character described, plug-feeding mechanism comprising a receptacle for a supply of plugs; a chute open at its top to the bottom of said receptacle, said chute being of such cross-section as to receive one plug at a time to form a column of closely confined plugs; a rotary disk at the bottom of said receptacle having plugreceiving pockets at the periphery thereof; a finger secured to the end of a spring and arranged to engage with the plugs in said pockets and push them into the chute; and a picker mechanism acting to engage the column of plugs at a point intermediate the ends of said chute and push part of the column toward the discharge end of the chute.

51. In a machine of the character described, plug-feeding mechanism comprising a receptacle for a supply of plugs; a chute open at its top to the bottom of said receptacle, said chute being of such cross-section as to receive one plug at a time to form a column of closely confined plugs; a rotary disk at the bottom of said receptacle having plugreceiving pockets at the periphery thereof;

a finger secured to the end of a spring and arranged to engage with the plugs in said pockets and push them into the chute; a picker mechanism acting to engage the colhaving plug-receiving pockets at the periphery thereof; a resilient scraper arm which revolves close to the inner wall of the cylindrical receptacle and which extends down close to the periphery of the disk to seat plugs in said pockets; and an agitator for mixing the plugs in the receptacle; having a spring finger which moves over the disk adjacent its periphery to assist in seating the plugs.

53. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, a generally cy-' lindrical receptacle for a supply of plugs; a disk at the bottom of the receptacle having plug-receiving pockets at the periphery thereof; a resilient scraper arm which revolves close to the inner wall of the cylindrical receptacle and which extends down close to the peripheryof the disk to seat plugs in said pockets; and an agitator for mixing the plugs in the receptacle, having a spring finger which moves over the disk adjacent its periphery to assist in seating the plugs; said disk being rotated synchronously with the agitator and scraper arm but in the opposite direction.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

CLIFFORD E. BRE MILLER. 

